Bonded Labor2009
United States US
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
Sex Trafficking2007
United States US
Vanessa Cristina Guedes Lopes, of Miami, Florida, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for bringing aliens to the U.S. illegally, bringing individuals in interstate commerce for prostitution, sex trafficking, and conspiracy. In addition, she has been convicted for making false statements in immigration documents—she will be deported after serving her sentence. Lopes recruited women, advertised them online, and sent them to various cities in Massachusetts. She coerced the women into staying through the use of threats, such as the deportation.
Sex Trafficking2008
United States US
A detective later called a sex-for-sale advertisement and posed as a prospective client to arrange an appointment for later that day. Investigators arrested Graham after police found a 31-year-old woman set up in a prostitution scheme inside La Quinta Inn in Somerville. The woman allegedly admitted Graham forced her to have sex with clients for money and threatened her with bodily harm if she did not perform, according to reports. Detectives said when they arrived at the hotel about 8 p.m. to meet the victim, Graham and a second man were spotted leaving the hotel and going outside to sit in a blue Ford Escape in the hotel parking lot. Inside the hotel room, the victim was reluctant to speak with police, according to the report. Somerville Police said the woman was nervous and concerned about identifying her pimp and the details of the prostitution scheme. Police reported the victim described to investigators her history with the pimp, who allegedly used manipulation, extreme control and fear to dominate her.